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Rev.  HENRY  O.  APPENZELLER,  D.D. 


THE  KOREA  MISSION  OF  THE 
METHODIST  EPISCOPAL 
CHURCH 


IiY 

The  Rev.  HENRY  G.  APPENZELLER,  D.D. 


Published  by  the 

OPEN  DOOR  EMERGENCY  COMMISSION 
150  Fifth  Avenue,  New  York 


Price 


..ENTS. 


Dr.  Appenzeller  was  the  leader  in  found- 
ing and  developing  the  Korea  Mission  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  ; serving  for 
a number  of  years  as  superintendent  of  the 
mission  and  president  of  the  college  at  Seoul. 
In  every  department  of  the  work  his  active 
influence  was  felt.  He  combined  high  scholar- 
ship and  devotion  to  the  spiritual  interests  of 
the  people  with  rare  ability  and  service  in 
public  affairs,  and  was  held  in  peculiar  honor 
and  esteem  by  the  Emperor,  whom  he  was 
able  to  assist  in  a time  of  disturbance.  It 
trives  a pathetic  interest  to  this  careful  sketch 
of  Korean  missionary  progress  to  know  that 
it  was  among  the  last  things  coming  from  his 
pen  before  the  sad  event  of  his  drowning  by 
the  sinking  of  the  Kumagawa,  the  boat  upon 
which  he  was  en  routt  to  the  session  of  a com- 
mittee engaged  in  translating  the  Scriptures. 
This  occurred  on  the  evening  of  June  11th, 
1902. 


KOREA  MISSION 


I.  PHYSICAL  FEATURES  AND  GOVERNMENT 

Korea,  or  Great  Han,  is  a small  country  in  the  eastern 
part  of  Asia.  Situated  between  Japan  and  China,  its  geo- 
graphical position  is  important.  The  country,  a peninsula, 
lies  between  the  parallels  of  34°  17'  and  43° 
Position  north  latitude,  and  is,  roughly  speaking,  about  600 

and  miles  in  length  from  north  to  south  and  135  miles 

Coast  Line  in  width  from  east  to  west.  Its  greatest  width  is 
at  the  north.  It  has  1,740  miles  of  sea  border 
and  some  good  harbors.  The  east  coast  is  steep  and 
rocky,  the  tide  rises  and  falls  from  one  to  two  feet  only ; 
the  west  coast  is  level  and  the  tide  rises  and  falls  from 
twenty-six  to  thirty-eight  feet. 

In  area  Korea  contains  about  80,000  square  miles, 
being  somewhat  smaller  than  New  York  and  Pennsyl 
vania  combined.  It  touches  Russian  territory  on  the 
northeast  for  eleven  miles.  The  Tumen,  a shal 
Area,  Rivers,  low  stream,  separates  Korea  from  Russia  on  the 
and  east,  and  the  Yalu,  a swift  stream,  separates  her 

Mountains  from  China  on  the  west.  Both  rivers  have  their 
sources  in  the  sacred  mountain  Paik-to-san  (Ever 
White  Head  Peak),  an  extinct  volcano,  8,000  feet  high. 
In  the  crater,  at  a depth  of  a hundred  feet  or  more,  is  a 
lake  of  great  depth  and  of  surpassing  beauty.  The 
country  is  hilly  throughout,  having  been  likened  unto  the 
sea  in  a tierce  gale.  A mountain  range  runs  nearly 
parallel  to  the  eastern  coast  and  forms  the  backbone  of 
the  country.  A few  of  the  highest  peaks  reach  an 


altitude  of  5,000  feet,  but  the  majority  do  not  exceed 
4,000  feet.  The  most  famous  of  all  the  mountains  in 
Korea  are  the  Diamond  Mountains  in  the  province  of 
Kang-Wen,  “a  region  containing  exquisite  mountain  and 
sylvan  scenery,”  to  quote  the  gifted  author  of  “Korea 
and  Her  Neighbors,”  who  made  an  extensive  visit  to  them. 


THE  NEIGHBORHOOD  WELL. 

There  are  no  plains  worthy  the  name  and  no  lakes  at  all. 
There  are  no  long  rivers,  and  besides  the  two  mentioned 
above,  we  may  name  the  Tai  tong,  on  whose  beautiful 
banks  stands  Pyeng  yang,  the  most  important  city  in 
northern  Korea;  the  Han,  which  Hows  within  a few  miles 

b 


of  Seoul  and  empties  its  Hood  into  the  Yellow  Sea,  sixty 
miles  below  the  capital , and  the  Nak-tong,  in  the  southern 
part,  providing  water  for  the  extensive  and  productive 
rice  fields  of  North  and  South  Kyeng-Sang  provinces. 

The  climate  varies  from  tropic  heat  in  the  south  to 
severe  cold  in  the  distant  north.  In  the  extreme  south 
there  is  little  or  no  snow,  while  in  the  valleys  and  moun- 
tains of  the  far  north  the  ground  is  covered  with 
Climate  snow  and  ice  from  three  to  four  months.  In  Seoul, 
situated  between  the  parallels  of  37u  and  38°  north 
latitude,  the  thermometer  goes  down  as  low  as  zero,  but 
only  for  a few  days.  For  a month  or  six  weeks  residents 
of  the  capital  boast  of  good,  crisp  winter  weather.  In  the 
fall,  as  the  days  shorten,  the  cold  slowly  and  steadily 
tightens  its  grip  until  the  extreme  point  is  reached  in 
January.  A cloudless  sky  and  a clear  sun  go  far  to  give 
a Korean  winter  the  reputation  for  being  “absolutely 
superb.”  The  “early  rains”  are  in  March  or  April,  and 
the  “latter  rains”  in  July  and  August,  when  at  times  the 
windows  of  heaven  seem  to  be  open  and  the  rain  descends 
in  torrents. 

Korea  is  an  empire  with  a population  of  about  twelve 
millions,  and  is  known  by  its  people  as  Great  Han. 
There  are  thirteen  gubernatorial  and  three  hundred  and 
sixty-four  magisterial  districts.  The  Emperor 
Form  of  rules  as  absolute  monarch  and  the  system  of 

Government  government  is  patriarchal.  The  Emperor  is  father 
or  head ; the  official  class,  the  oldest  sons ; the 
remaining  sons  and  daughters,  i.  e.,  the  common  people, 
are  the  ones  to  be  ruled.  The  Emperor  rules  by  virtue  of 
a right  from  heaven  and  he  can  never  do  wrong.  There 
may  be  corruption  in  the  several  departments;  there 
may  be  petty  or  heavy  oppression  of  the  people;  there 
may  be  misgovernment  everywhere,  but  these  are  one  and 
all  attributed  to  the  officials  who  neglect  or  refuse  to 
carry  out  the  benevolent  laws  promulgated  by  their 
gracious  master.  I have  heard  of  and  read  most  scathing 
denunciations  of  rapacious  and  unscrupulous  officials,  but 


never  an  unkind  word  or  even  an  implied  censure  of  the 
conduct  or  rule  of  their  sovereign.  “The  King  can  never 
do  wrong,  and  he  who  says  the  King  has  not  done  well  is 
to  be  treated  as  an  enemy.”  This  tenet  is  believed  by 
patrician’and  plebian  alike  and  governs  political  utterance 
and  action  in  the  empire  to-day.  The  family,  not  the  in- 
dividual, is  the  unit  in  Korea.  The  father  is  responsible 
for  the  conduct  of  his  family.  A prodigal  son,  an  over- 


ALTAR  USED  AT  THE  CORONATION  SERVICE, 
ambitious  office  seeker,  may  waste  the  resources  of  the 
family,  but  the  father,  the  representative  head,  must 
make  good  the  losses  sustained. 

His  Majesty  the  Emperor  belongs  to  the  ruling  or  Ye 
dynasty,  which  came  into  power  in  1892.  The  Emperor, 
whom  I have  seen  in  audiences  accorded  at  various  times, 
was  born  in  1851;  chosen  king  in  1864;  married 
The  Emperor  in  1866  to  Princess  Min  ; he  is  somewhat  be- 
yond fifty  years  of  age,  and  has  reigned  about 
forty  years.  He  is,  as  compared  with  the  ordinary  Korean, 

8 


rather  under  size,  being  about  five  feet  three  or  four 
inches  high.  His  face  is  handsome;  when  composed,  the 
expression  is  somewhat  inanimate,  but  when  engaged  in 
conversation  it  brightens  into  a kindly  and  pleasing  smile. 
His  voice  is  pleasant,  well  modulated,  and  he  speaks 


TEMPLE  WHERE  THE  EMPEROR  WORSHIPS. 

rapidly,  readily  and  distinctly.  In  talking,  he  is  vivacious 
and  speaks  with  nervous  energy. 

His  Majesty  has  always  been  very  accessible  to  for- 
eigners. Many  audiences  have  been  extended  not  only  to 
the  diplomatic  representatives,  on  his  birthdays  and  other 
national  holidays  or  birthdays,  but  also  to  unofficial  resi- 
dents and  distinguished  visitors  to  the  capital.  But 


9 


little  ceremony  is  required  at  these  audiences,  and  his 
majesty  is  affable  and  unceremonious,  always  kindly  ad- 
dressing more  or  less  conversation  to  each  person  admitted. 

The  Emperor,  like  most  of  his  subjects,  is  a Confucian- 
ist,  but  in  the  strict  sense  of  the  term  there  is  no  state  or 
national  religion.  Toleration  in  religious  matters  has 
marked  his  reign.  The  persecution  of  the  Cath- 
Spirit  of  olics  in  1866  was  carried  on  during  the  regency 

Toleration  of  his  father,  the  national  Grand  Duke  or  Tai  Wun 

Knu,  and  before  the  present  ruler  assumed  full 
control.  On  the  occasion  of  the  audience  accorded  to 
our  own  Bishop  Ninde  in  the  early  part  of  1895,  His  Majesty 
not  only  expressed  his  appreciation  of  the  good  work  done 
by  the  “teachers,”  as  he  terms  the  missionaries,  but 
uttered  those  memorable  words  which  the  Church  cannot 
and  must  not  be  permitted  to  forget,  “Send  more 
teachers.” 

Seoul,  or  Soul  (so-oul)  means  capital,  that  is,  the  resi- 
dence of  the  ruler.  It  is  the  largest  city  in  the  empire,  is 
situated  three  miles  from  the  Han  River,  and  twenty  five 
miles  from  Chemulpo,  the  port,  and  has  a population 
Seoul,  the  of  about  200.000.  It  was  founded  in  1395  in  the  third 
Capital  year  of  the  reign  of  the  founder  of  the  present  dy- 
nasty, when  he  discarded  Song-do,  the  capital  of  the 
last  dynasty,  for  a more  favorable  site.  It  is  a walled  city. 
The  wall,  we  are  told  by  the  chroniclers,  is  9,975  yards,  or 
nearly  six  miles  long,  forty-two  feet  high,  pierced  by 
eight  massive  gates,  and  was  built  in  nine  months,  no  less 
than  198  000  men  taking  part  in  its  construction.  Seoul 
is  pleasantly  situated  between  the  mountain  peaks  of 
Poukhan  on  the  north  and  Namsan  on  the  south;  the  city 
wall  climbs  the  most  precipitous  ridges ; the  views  from 
it,  both  within  and  without  the  city,  are  varied  and  ex- 
tensive; the  imperial  palaces  with  their  imposing  audience 
halls,  spacious  grounds  and  beautiful  trees  are  in  marked 
contrast  with  the  straw  huts  of  the  humble  subjects;  the 
main  streets  leading  from  the  principal  gates  are  fifty-six 
feet  wide,  and  form  the  great  thoroughfares  of  travel  and 


10 


traffic;  electric  cars,  pack  ponies,  officials  in  sedan  chairs, 
departmental  clerks  in  jinrikishas,  common  people  on 
foot,  foreigners  on  bicycles,  coolies  with  heavy  burdens 
on  their  jiggies,  women  with  bundles  of  clothing  on  their 
heads,  small  boys  going  to  or  returning  from  school  or  on 
errands  for  parents  or  employers  fill  the  streets  all  day 
long.  Seoul  is 
known  as  the 
city  of  3,000 
officials,  that 
being  the  num- 
ber of  men  re- 
quired to  ad- 
minister public 
affairs  in  the 
capital,  while 
Hot ) suffice  for 
the  rest  of  the 
country. 

As  in  Italy 
all  the  roads 
lead  to  Rome, 
so  in  Korea 
Molds  everything 
Public  leads  to 
Thought  Seoul,  and 
everybody 
longs  to  go  to 
Seoul.  As  the 
Emperor  and 
his  cabinet  re- 
side here,  Seoul 
naturally  does 
the  thinking 
for  the  whole 
people.  What 
Seoul  does 

what  Seoul  carrying  the  baby. 


ll 


thinks,  the  country  does  and  thinks.  Shortly  after  the 
close  of  the  war  between  Japan  and  China,  when  the 
progressive  spirit  was  ascendant,  I suggested  to  an  in- 
telligent Christian  in  Pyeng-yang  that  the  initiative  in  a 
certain  reform  movement  might  be  taken  by  them.  His 
answer  was  characteristic  as  showing  the  mental  attitude 
of  the  country  people:  “Seoul  must  take  the  lead  and  we 
will  follow.” 

The  same  feeling  is  forcibly  illustrated  in  the  example 
given  in  one  of  the  reports  read  at  an  annual  meet- 
ing of  our  mission.  The  literati  of  Kyo-dang  Island 
when  they  met  to  offer  the  semi-annual  sacrifices  at  the 
temple  of  Confucius  were  much  excited  at  the  Methodist 
Christian  attempting  to  come  among  them.  They 
determined  to  run  him  off  the  island.  To  this  end  they 
appointed  a committee  to  wait  on  the  prefect  and  call  his 
attention  to  the  Christian,  and  petition  that  the  intruder 
be  cast  out.  The  answer  of  the  prefect  was  that  the 
Christians  have  built  churches  beside  the  very  palace  in 
Seoul,  showing  that  His  Majesty  the  Emperor  is  pleased 
to  have  them  among  his  people.  If  the  Christians  have 
the  right  to  dwell  in  Seoul  and  carry  on  their  work,  it  is 
folly  to  attempt  to  drive  them  out  of  a third  grade  pre 
fecture.  No  further  interference  was  attempted. 

The  objective  of  Christian  effort  should  be  to  take  the 
capital  for  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  Everything,  com- 
mercial, educational,  official,  centers  and  culminates  in 
Seoul.  Spiritual  and  active  churches,  strong  schools,  and 
well  equipped  hospitals  are  of  supreme  importance  in  the 
largest  and  most  influential  city  of  the  Empire.  Success 
here  means  success  everywhere. 

II.  NATIVE  RELIGIONS 

The  visitor  to  Korea  at  first  fails  to  see  any  visible 
signs  of  religious  life  among  the  people.  Naturally  and 
properly  he  looks  for  this  manifestation  in  Seoul.  But 
there  is  nothing  in  the  capital  that  looks  like  a temple  ; 
aside  from  the  temple  to  the  god  of  war  outside  the 


12 


13 


NATIVE  SCHOOL. 


south  gate,  there  is  little  or  nothing  to  attract  the  atten- 
tion of  the  casual  observer.  He  is  apt  to  jump  to  the 
conclusion,  as  has  been  done,  that  here  is  a people  without 
a religion,  a conclusion  both  hasty  and  unwar- 
First  ranted.  He  has  failed  to  see  in  the  back  yard  of 

Impression  the  better  class  houses  a small  building  detached 
Misleading  from  the  rest  and  kept  in  better  repair.  This  is 
the  ancestral  tablet  house,  containing  wooden 
tablets  in  the  shape  of  a cross  of  the  last  four  generations 
of  the  family.  This  house  is  visited  on  the  anniversary 
of  the  death  of  the  father  or  mother,  and  during  the 
twenty-seven  months,  the  period  of  greater  mourning, 
wailings,  prostrations  and  sacrifices  are  here  observed  on 
the  first  and  fifteenth  of  each  month.  He  did  not  notice 
the  small  stake  in  the  yard  around  which  straw  is 
wrapped  and  capped  with  a discarded  sandal  and  a small 
piece  of  white  paper  with  a sentiment  on  it  to  act  as  a 
charm.  This  stake  represents  a form  of  fetichism  and  is 
placed  there  to  the  honor  of  the  god  of  site,  whose  good 
will  is  assured  by  proper  obeisance  and  sacrifices. 

He  saw  a heap  of  stones  at  the  top  of  high  passes,  rude 
shrines  containing  bright  pictures  of  mythical  beings, 
large  distorted  trees  with  bits  of  rags  and  old  shoes  tied 
to  the  limbs  and  stones  thrown  at  the  base;  he 
Signs  of  saw  passers-by  bow  to,  and  sometimes  spit  at. 
Shamanism  these  trees;  he  noticed  rows  of  grotesque  figures 
on  the  ridgepoles  of  imperial  buildings,  govern- 
ment buildings,  and  on  the  roofs  of  the  city  gates.  He 
watched  blind  men,  sorcerers,  feeling  their  way  along  the 
street  with  a long  staff  to  the  house  of  some  high  official, 
to  cast  out,  by  means  of  wand  and  divining  tortoise  box, 
some  foul  spirit  that  brought  misfortune  or  serious  illness 
to  the  family;  or  perchance  he  may  be  on  a more  con- 
genial mission  of  selecting  a lucky  day  for  the  nuptials 
of  two  high  contracting  parties.  The  visitor  heard  before 
he  reached  Seoul  beating  drums  and  clanging  cymbals; 
he  saw  costly  and  elaborate  offerings  of  wine  and  fruit ; 
he  looked  upon  the  sorceress,  who,  with  whirling  dance 


11 


in  the  midst  of  the  anxious  inmates  of  the  house,  and  an 
indifferent,  gaping  crowd  outside,  essayed  to  cast  out  the 
spirit  that  brought  the  disaster  to  the  home — all  these 
tilings  are  external  manifestations  of  the  cult  known  as 


KOREAN  SCHOLAR. 


Shamanism.  It  busies  itself  with  securing  and  retaining 
the  good  will  of  innumerable  spirits  that  have  their  abode 
in  earth  and  sky.  in  umbrageous  tree  by  the  roadside  and 
in  peaceful  agricultural  valley,  in  tiled  roof  of  the  patrician 
and  in  the  straw  thatch  of  the  humble  peasant. 

15 


Now  turn  from  the  main  road,  follow  yonder  man  in 
grass  cloth,  shaven  head,  beehive-shaped  hat,  rosary 
around  his  neck  and  staff  in  hand.  He  bows  low 
Buddhist  and  speaks  pleasantly  to  acquaintances.  He  climbs 
Priest  and  the  mountain  path,  descends  a ravine  and  finally 
Temple  comes  to  several  large  buildings  in  a shady  re- 
treat or  in  a mountain  fortress.  The  man  is  a 
Buddhist  priest  and  the  buildings  are  a Buddhist  temple. 

Buddhism  was  introduced  from  China  in  371  A.D.  It 
has  had  its  seasons  of  influence  and  its  periods  of  decline; 
of  favor  at  court  and  with  common  people : of  large  and 
prosperous  monasteries  and  of  neglected  and  ruined 
Fortunes  temples.  There  were  times  when  monks  filled 
of  civil  and  military  positions;  many  had  families,  and 

Buddhism  the  inventor  of  the  twenty-five  letters  of  the 
Korean  alphabet — Syel-chong — was  a son  of  an 
eminent  Buddhist  priest.  They  meddled  in  politics,  which 
was  one  of  the  leading  causes  of  the  downfall  of  the  last 
dynasty  more  than  500  years  ago  and  of  their  rigid  ex- 
clusion from  Seoul  for  more  than  five  centuries. 

In  ancient  times,  so  the  classics  tell  us,  there  lived  a 
king  whose  name  was  Paruri.  Visiting  Buddha,  he  said, 
“ My  kingdom  is  small  and  for  several  years  has  been 
ravaged  by  pestilence.  Grain  is  scarce,  the  people  are 
weary  and  I am  never  at  ease.  The  treasury  of  the  law  is 
deep  and  wide.  I have  not  had  the  ability  to  cultivate 
my  conduct,  but  I now  wish  to  understand  the  law, 
Its  Law  even  to  its  minutest  part.”  To  this  Buddha  replied, 
“Ah,  what  a great  king.  If  you  wish  all  your 
doubts  and  perplexities  to  be  destroyed,  string  up  suitably 
108  beads.  Keep  them  continually  with  you  and  with 
your  heart  and  mind  reverently  chant;  Hail  Buddha! 
Hail  Dharma!  HailSangha!  Then  slowly  take  the  beads 
one  by  one  until  by  degrees  you  will  have  counted  ten  and 
twenty.  After  you  have  been  able  to  count  twenty 
myriads  you  will  be  tranquil,  not  disturbed  in  either  mind 
or  body,  and  there  will  be  complete  destruction  of  all  evil 
desires  in  your  heart.  At  the  end  of  time,  when  you 

J6 


descend  (i.  e.,  die)  to  be  born  in  Yama  (the  heaven  of 
good  time),  if  you  are  able  to  recite  the  rosary  100  myriad 
times  you  will  avoid  the  108  places  (».  e.,  attain  Nirvana), 
and  will  attain  to  the  great  fruit  of  everlasting  bliss.” 
The  king  said,  “ I will  receive  this  law.” 

Korea  has  “received  this  law.”  The  priests  in  their 
temples  in  the  mountain  retreats  form  processions,  chant 
the  virtue  of  Buddha,  bow  before  the  expressionless  image, 
present  offerings  of  the  fruits  of  the  ground,  burn  incense, 
make  numerous  and  humble  prostrations,  count  the  rosary 
and  drone  over  their  prayers,  Om  mahni padmi  hum,  “Hail, 
thou  jewel  in  the  Lotus.”  This  is  Buddhism  in  action. 

Confucianism  is  a system  of  ethics.  It  is  not  a religion  ; 
it  teaches  nothing  of  a man’s  duty  to  a higher  being.  It 
is  true  that  a vast  difference  is  recognized  between  the 
“superior  man”  and  the  ordinary  mortal,  but 
Confucianism  no  explanation  for  the  difference  is  offered.  Con- 
fucianism has  given  to  the  Korean  his  “concep- 
tion of  duty  and  his  standard  of  morality.”  My  personal 
friend  and  fellow-worker  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  South,  the  Hon.  T.  H.  Yun,  a man  of  commanding 
ability  and  undoubted  patriotism,  in  an  article  published 
several  years  ago  maintains  that  “Confucianism  is  agnostic  ; 
that  it  makes  no  clear  distinction  between  things  mental 
and  things  moral,  that  it  knows  no  higher  ideal  than  man ; 
that  in  trying  to  make  men  keep  the  impossible  doctrine 
of  the  mean,  it  makes  them  mean,  narrow,  calculating, 
revengeful,  ever  ready  with  specious  excuses  and  never 
given  to  generous  adventures.”  Confucianism  degrades 
woman  by  classifying  her  with  menials  and  slaves  and  by 
making  her  virtuous  in  proportion  to  her  stupidity.  Mr. 
Yun  thinks  that  “a  system  of  ethics  yielding  the  fruit  of 
agnosticism,  selfishness,  arrogance,  despotism,  degrada- 
tion of  woman,  cannot  be  pronounced  good.  If  other 
countries  can  make  a better  use  of  it,  Korea  is  or  ought  to 
be  willing  enough  to  part  with  it.”  Christian  missions,  by 
teaching  a purer,  holier  and  better  system,  are  helping 
Korea  to  get  rid  of  this  baneful  system  of  ethics. 

ir 


Shamanism,  Buddhism  and  Confucianism  are  the  three 
religions  in  Korea  to-day.  They  have  had  undisputed 
sway  over  the  hearts  and  minds  of  the  people,  and  what 
is  the  result?  Superstitions  of  the  grossest  forms; 
Results  licentiousness  and  immorality  universal;  corruption 
of  False  and  oppression  everywhere.  From  the  hour  of  his 
Faiths  birth  until  the  spirit  leaves  the  body  the  Korean  is 
surrounded  and  tormented  by  the  innumerable  spirits 
with  which  Shamanism  fills  the  air  and  Buddhism  his 
mind.  Poverty  is  general.  Woman  is  held  in  low  esteem, 


GROUP  OF  CHRISTIAN  GRANDMOTHERS. 

life  and  property  are  insecure,  and  political  intrigue  of 
every  form  is  practised.  A Bishop  of  our  church,  while 
on  an  Episcopal  tour  here,  saw  the  dilapidated  and 
wretched  condition  of  the  mud  and  straw  huts,  beheld 
the  low  condition  of  the  people  and  said,  they  are  “the 
heel  of  humanity.”  And  yet  Korea  is  a well  watered 
country;  her  valleys  yield  abundant  crops  of  excellent 
rice ; her  plains,  even  under  the  indifferent  cultivation  of 
the  average  husbandman,  yield  good  returns. 

18 


III.  METHODIST  EPISCOPAL  MISSION 


We  begin  with  our  own  Church.  The  honor  of  propos- 
ing the  opening  of  mission  work  in  Korea  belongs  to  the 
Rev.  John  F.  Goucher,  D.D.,  of  Baltimore.  In  1883  he 
was  traveling  across  the  continent  and  met  the  first 
Opening  Korean  Embassy  on  its  way  to  Washington.  He 
of  the  made  the  acquaintance  of  the  members,  chief  of 

Work  whom  was  Prince  Min  Yong  Ik.  He  became  interested 

in  the  story  they  told  of  themselves  and  their  country, 
and  invited  them  to  visit  him  at  his  home.  But  his 
interest  did  not  end  there.  He  wrote  to  the  Superin- 
tendent of  the  Japan  Mission,  the  Rev.  R.  S.  Maclay,  D.D., 
requesting  him  to  visit  Korea  to  “spy  out  the  land,” 
and  judge  of  the  possibilities  for  Christian  work.  This 
was  in  1883,  and  in  June,  the  next  year,  Dr.  Maclay,  ac- 
companied by  Mrs.  Maclay,  visited  Korea.  They  were 
made  welcome  at  the  United  States  Legation  in  Seoul  by 
Minister  Foote  and  his  wife.  A paper  setting  forth  the 
desires  and  object  of  Christian  missionaries  was  sent  to 
the  King,  and  assurance  was  given  that  mission  work 
might  be  opened,  and  that  medical  and  educational  work 
would  be  especially  acceptable.  Dr.  Maclay  was  thus 
able  to  make  a favorable  report.  Dr.  Goucher  in  the 
meantime  made  a special  donation  to  the  missionary 
society  of  §2,000,  so  that  the  Board  had,  with  the  ap- 
propriation made  in  1883,  §5,000  at  its  disposition  to  open 
work  in  the  Hermit  Nation. 

The  way  was  now  open,  and  toward  the  close  of  1884, 
William  B.  Scranton,  M.D.,  and  the  Rev.  H.  G.  Appenzeller 
were  appointed  the  first  missionaries.  At  the  very  time 
when  Dr.  Scranton  was  ordained  in  New  York, 
First  the  entente  on  Dec.  4th  took  place  in  Seoul; 

Missionaries  the  leaders  of  the  progressive  party  were  not 
only  driven  from  power,  but  from  the  country 
as  well.  The  missionaries,  ignorant  of  the  full  import  of 
these  changes,  continued  their  preparations  to  leave  their 
homes.  They  sailed  from  San  Francisco,  Feb.  3,  1885, 

19 


MAP  OF  KOREA 


J1  eiut  £ •fUwlom.e  tr  & Co  .EdiuT 


arrived  in  Japan  and  counseled  with  Dr.  Maclay  and  the 
friends  there.  It  was  a time  of  anxiety.  The  greatest 
uneasiness  and  uncertainty  prevailed  about  Korea.  Japan- 
ese and  Chinese  troops  in  Seoul  had  come  into  collision ; 
high  Korean  officials  of  both  progressive  and  conservative 
parties  had  been  killed,  and  the  royal  palace  itself  as- 
saulted. After  tarrying  a month  in  Japan  it  was  deemed 
advisable  for  the  missionary  party  to  divide,  and  the 
preacher  and  his  wife  went  on  ahead.  They  arrived 
safely  at  Chemulpo  on  Easter  Sunday,  the  5th  of  April. 
Doctor  Scranton  arrived  a month  later,  and  went  on  to 
Seoul,  where  he  arrived  May  3d. 

In  the  capital  the  mission  was  located  in  the  western 
part  of  the  city  by  the  purchase  of  real  estate.  There  was 
much  to  do  and  little  with  which  to  do  it.  Native  houses 
had  to  be  repaired  or  “ made  over,”  as  a room  eight 
Pioneer  feet  square  was  not  thought  sufficiently  large;  the 
Problems  language  had  to  be  studied;  dispensary  and  hospital 
opened;  school  had  to  be  begun.  There  were  no 
books  and  tracts  available.  The  missionaries  had  to  make 
their  tools  before  they  could  begin  their  work.  They 
went  out  to  gain  converts  to  Christ,  but,  as  everywhere 
else,  they  found  that  the  language  had  to  be  acquired  be- 
fore they  could  do  much  with  the  people.  Dr.  Scranton 
“opened  ” medical  work  by  treating  in  his  own  home  the 
first  sick  man  who  came  seeking  relief,  and  the  teacher 
gave  instruction,  thus  “ opening  ” school  to  the  first  pupils 
who  came  to  him.  It  was  the  day  of  beginnings,  of  small 
things,  but  the  missionaries  were  unspeakably  happy  in 
being  in  the  counfry  and  in  taking  these  first  steps  of  the 
great  work  of  evangelizing  the  millions  in  this  land.  The 
first  annual  meeting  was  held  in  August,  1885. 

The  Woman's  Foreign  Missionary  Society  sent  Mrs.  M. 
F.  Scranton,  mother  of  Dr.  Scranton,  at  the  same  time  to 
Korea  to  begin  missionary  work  among  the  women  and 
girls.  Mrs.  Scranton  brought  to  the  service  the 
Woman’s  most  ample  preparation  of  mind  and  heart,  and 
Work  was  pre  eminently  successful  in  laying  broad  and 

22 


deep  and  sure  the  foundations.  She  founded  Ewa 
School,  now  the  foremost  girls’  school  in  the  country.  One 
of  its  students,  Dr.  Esther  Kim  Pak,  has  taken  a medical 
course  in  the  United  States,  being  the  first  woman  of 
Korea  to  receive  such  training,  and  displays  remarkable 
ability  and  mental  power,  in  both  medical  and  regular 
missionary  work  in  and  about  Seoul. 

In  their  early  days,  when  there  were  few  foreigners  in 
the  country,  and  the  object  of  missionaries  was  unknown, 
or  at  best  was  but  partially  known,  wrong  impressions  were 


inevitable,  and  unwarranted  inferences  natural.  It  was 
given  out  at  one  time  that  women  desiring  more  instruc- 
tion in  the  Bible  than  could  lie  imparted  at  the  Sunday 
services,  might  come  to  the  school  during  the  winter 
months  and  be  taught.  Some  came  saying  they  believed, 
but  to  study  more  might  displease  their  friends;  would 
the  lady,  therefore,  kindly  “agree  to  keep  them  a long 
time,  or  even  always,  and  by  and  by  give  them  employ- 
ment ? ” One  woman  felt  her  social  rank  demanded  the 
attention  of  a servant;  would  the  lady  provide  her  with 


one  ? To  such  and  many  others  the  ladies  felt  they  had 
no  call. 

The  first  baptism  was  administered  in  the  summer  of 
1887,  while  on  Christmas  following  the  first  sermon  in 
Korean  ever  preached  by  a Methodist  preacher  was 
preached  from  the  text,  “ Thou  shalt  call  his 
First  Baptism  name  Jesus,  for  he  shall  save  his  people  from 
and  Quarterly  their  sins.”  It  is  believed  that  the  gracious 

Conference  success  given  to  the  mission  is  due  to  the 
faithful  preaching  of  the  doctrine  taught  in 
this  verse.  Two  years  later,  that  is,  in  1889,  the  first 
quarterly  conference  was  organized,  so  that  in  less  than 
five  years  from  the  date  of  entrance  Methodism  had  a 
foothold  in  Seoul. 

With  a foothold  in  the  capital  the  missionaries  were 
not  content.  In  1886  Dr.  Scranton  made  an  overland  trip 
from  Seoul  to  Weu-san,  the  northeastern  port,  a distance 
of  150  miles.  The  next  year  Mr.  Appenzeller 
New  Centers.  visited  Pyeng-yang.  the  largest  and  most  im- 
Pyeng-yang  portant  city  in  northern  Korea.  It  was  founded 
by  a fugitive  Chinese  statesman  who  came 
over  with  five  thousand  followers  in  the  days  when  David 
was  king  at  Jerusalem.  His  name  is  Kija,  and  he  is  re- 
garded as  the  founder  of  Korean  civilization.  His  well 
is  still  at  Pyeng-yang,  and  on  a high  hill  to  the  north  of 
the  city  is  his  tomb.  Pyeng-yang  is  the  second  city  in 
the  Empire.  It  has  a population  of  between  75,000  and 
80,000  inhabitants  ; its  people  are  free  and  independent, 
full  of  energy  and  spirit.  The  writer,  who  was  the  first 
missionary  to  visit  the  city,  was  deeply  impressed  with 
its  strength.  In  1888  the  city  was  visited  and  some  Chris- 
tian work  attempted.  Other  members  of  the  mission 
made  occasional  visits,  but  it  was  not  until  1892  that  a 
man  was  appointed  there.  This  man  was  William 
William  J.  Hall,  M.D.  He  located  in  the  city,  secured  prop- 
J.  Hall  erty,  healed  the  sick,  won  the  good  will  of  some  and 
succeeded  in  gaining  the  ill  will  of  others.  These 
were  the  means  of  imprisoning  and  torturing  one  of  our 

24 


native  workers.  Dr.  Hall 
labored  earnest  ly  for  two 
years.  Immediately  after 
the  great  battle  between 
the  Japanese  and  Chi- 
nese armies  here  in  Sep- 
tember, 185)4,  Dr.  Hall, 
with  two  missionaries  of 
the  Presbyterian 
Church,  visited  his  field. 

The  little  company  of 
believers  was  most  glad 
to  see  him,  and  it  re- 
joiced his  heart  to  find 
them  so  faithful  and 
firm  “under  such  trying 
circumstances — true 
heroes  for  Christ.”  He 
writes:  “My  patients 

are  increasing  daily.  I have  several  cases  of  gunshot 
wounds.  I use  my  bamboo  cot  for  a stretcher  and  our 
( hristians  are  the  ambulance  staff.”  He  baptized  three 
men  ami  a boy  the  last  Sunday  he  was  in  the  city.  On 
the  journey  back  to  Seoul  he  contracted  typhus  fever  and 
he  reached  home  but  to  die.  But  E.  Douglas  Follwell, 
M.D.,  followed  and  took  up  the  work,  and  the  Rev.  W. 
A.  Noble  has  also  labored  in  this  field  as  missionary  and 
presiding  elder  of  the  North  Korea  District. 

M bile  missionaries  were  turning  their  attention  to  the 
north  of  Korea,  they  could  not  overlook  Chemulpo,  for 
being  the  port  of  Seoul,  they  “must  needs  go  through" 
it  on  their  way  to  the  capital.  Chemulpo  is  the 
Chemulpo  most  important  open  port  in  the  country.  In  1882, 
and  when  the  treaty  was  signed  there,  it  had  a few 
Kanghwa  fishermen  s huts  : now  it  is  a cosmopolitan  center, 
Japanese,  Chinese,  Europeans  and  Koreans  being 
found  there  in  large  numbers.  The  Korean  portion  of  the 
town'  has  a population  of  about  15,000,  and  it  is  at  once 


DR.  WILLIAM  J.  HALL. 


25 


composed  of  the  best  and  worst  elements  in  the  Empire. 
The  superintendent  of  the  mission,  recognizing  the  strat- 
egical importance  of  the  place,  secured  a foothold,  and 
in  1889  located  a native  worker  there.  In  1S91  a chape 
was  built,  and  in  1892  the  Rev.  George  Heber  Jones  began 
his  labors  there,  and  in  the  Island  of  Kanghwa,  which  he 
once  described  as  “a  Methodist  preacher’s  paradise.” 
AVen-san,  the  northeastern  port,  was  early  visited  but 
could  not  be  occupied  until  1892,  when  W.  B.  McGill, 
51. D.,  moved  there.  For  nearly  ten  years  he  healed  the 
sick,  traveled  the  country  for  miles  and  miles 
Wen-san  around,  teaching  the  people,  selling  Scriptures  and 
tracts  by  the  thousands,  winning  for  himself  the  en- 
viable reputation  as  one  of  the  most  successful  distributers 
of  Christian  literature  in  the  country.  In  order  to  con- 
serve our  own  energy  and  promote  the  interest  of  our 
common  Methodism,  the  mission  recommended  the  trans- 
ference of  this  station  to  the  Mission  of  the  Methodist 


PYENG-YAXG  HATS. 
•J6 


Episcopal  Church,  South.  This  was  acted  upon  favorably 
in  1901  and  our  sister  church  is  now  entrusted  with  this 
part  of  our  Korean  field.  This  is  our  understanding  of 
comity  or  union  on  the  mission  field. 

In  1893  Dr.  Scranton  traveled  a circuit  to  the  south  of 
Seoul  and  started  several  preaching  places.  Several  years 
later  this  was  enlarged,  the  Rev.  W.  C.  Swearer  being  as- 
signed to  it.  It  now  extends  south  of  Seoul  a hundred 
miles,  and  has  been  formed  into  the  South  Korea  District. 

Let  us  come  back  again  to  the  capital.  The  handful 
of  Christians  whom  we  left  there  in  1889,  at  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  first  quarterly  conference,  has  grown  so  that 
now  we  have  three  churches  fully  organized 
Later  and  doing  effective  work.  The  school  in  1887 

Developments  received  its  name,  given  by  the  King.  It  is  Pai 
at  Seoul  Chai  Hakdang,  and  may  be  freely  translated, 

“Hall  for  Rearing  Useful  Men.”  Mrs.  Isabella 
Bird  Bishop,  the  famous  English  traveler  and  writer,  vis- 
ited Korea  four  times  while  gathering  material  for  her 
book,  “ Korea  and  Her  Neighbors.”  She  has  a chapter  on 
“Education  and  Foreign  Trade,”  and  after  speaking  of 
all  the  schools  then  (1807)  in  the  capital,  says  of  this  one: 
" Undoubtedly  the  establishment  which  has  exercised  and 
is  exercising  the  most  powerful  educational,  moral  and 
intellectual  influence  in  Korea  is  the  Pai  Chai  College,  so 
named  by  the  King  in  1887.  This,  which  belongs  to  the 
American  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  has  had  the  ad 
vantage  of  the  services  of  one  principal  for  eleven  years. 
This  college  is  undoubtedly  making  a decided  impression, 
and  is  giving,  besides  a liberal  education,  a measure  of 
that  broader  intellectual  view  and  deepened  moral  sense 
which  may  yet  prove  the  salvation  of  Korea.  Christian 
instruction  is  given  in  Korean  and  attendance  at  chapel 
is  compulsory.”  The  conservative  spirit,  now  very  strong 
in  government  circles,  has  acted  unfavorably  upon  the 
number  in  attendance,  which  is  not  as  large  as  it  was 
when  Mrs.  Bishop  wrote.  The  school  was  never  more 
imbued  with  a Christian  spirit  than  at  present,  and  some 


of  tlie  brightest  Christians  and  most  efficient  workers 
were  converted  while  in  school. 

The  Methodist  Publishing  House  of  Korea,  the  only 
Christian  institution  of  its  kind  in  the  country,  was  started 
in  1889  as  an  aid  to  the  needy  students  in  the  school.  It 
has  now  grown  beyond  its  first  stage  as  an  indus- 
Publishing  trial  department,  though  worthy  students  still 
House  find  work  to  do.  This  house  is  already  recognized 

as  an  essential  factor  in  the  evangelization  of  this 
people.  The  agents,  the  Rev.  D.  A.  Bunker  and  the  Rev.  S. 
A.  Beck,  are  pushing  the  interests  of  Christian  literature; 
the  output  in  Scriptures  and  books  has  already  run  up  into 
millions  of  pages.  Since  1894  a general  bookstore  has 
been  maintained  in  the  center  of  the  city.  Books  in  Clii 
nese  as  well  as  in  the  native  Enmun  character  are  sold. 
Books  on  medicine,  science,  history  and  geography  are 
eagerly  purchased  by  Koreans  who  as  yet  have  not  mani- 
fested any  direct  interest  in  the  Christian  religion.  The 
aim  is  to  supply  good  literature.  The  annual  sales  amount 
to  over  three  thousand  volumes. 

Thus  far  we  have  spoken  of  outward  growth  of  out- 
work. A few  words  about  the  native  workers  are  neces- 
sary, for  it  is  truth  accepted  everywhere  that  the  great 
and  heavy  part  of  the  work  of  evangelizing  the 
Native  country  must  be  done  by  its  own  people.  Metal- 

workers odism  is  raising  up  in  Korea  a band  of  consecrated, 
earnest  workers.  The  Epworth  League  among  the 
young  is  tiaining  men  and  women  for  great  future  use- 
fulness. 

In  1887  a young  man  twenty-three  years  of  age  came 
seeking  admittance  to  our  school  in  Seoul.  His  name  was 
Kang  Chei  Hyong.  He  came  from  Quelpart,  the  large 
island  south  of  Korea.  He  hoped  to  secure  rank  by  pass- 
ing the  civil  service  examination,  but  found  he  was 
stranded  financially  long  before  he  reached  his  goal.  He 
was  directed  to  the  foreigners,  of  whom  he  had  vague  and 
most  uncomplimentary  notions,  but  necessity  urged  him 
thither.  He  was  admitted  to  the  school  and  was  soon 


28 


found  to  lie  an  apt  student.  He  applied  to  the  principal 
for  help,  and  a Christian  book  was  given  him  to  be  trans- 
lated. He  took  the  book,  looked  it  over,  saw  its  contents, 
in  a general  way,  at  least,  and  returned  it  to  the 
The  Apt  teacher  with  the  remark  that  he  would  be  decapitated 
Student  if  the  government  knew  he  had  such  a book  in  his 
possession.  This  undoubtedly  represented  the  attitude 
of  the  people  towards  Christianity  in  these  early  days  of  our 
labors.  It  is  well  known  that  the  high  class  students  in 
the  Royal  College,  opened  in  1886,  drew  the  pencil  across 
the  word  Cod  and  refused  to  pronounce  it  when  they  came 
to  it  in  their  reading.  A year  later  Hyong  received  baptism, 
proved  himself  a most  proficient  student,  was  given  a 
local  preacher’s  license,  and  when  a missionary  was  lo- 
cated at  Chemulpo,  he  was  made  junior  preacher  on  that 
circuit,  where  he  labored  with  zeal  and  increasing  fidelity 
until  his  death  in  1895.  He  died  before  he  was  thirty  one 
years  old,  but  lived  long  enough  to  illustrate  in  his  own 
life  the  transforming  power  of  divine  grace  in  the  Korean 
heart. 

At  the  annual  meeting  in  1901  Bishop  Moore  ordained 
two  local  preachers  deacons.  They  are  men  of  iron,  as 
the  name  Kim  implies.  Both  have  endured  with  firm- 
ness and  one  has  been  tried  as  by  fire.  The  first,  Kim 
Men  Chang  Sik,  is  a man  somewhat  advanced  in  years, 
of  Iron  Early  in  the  nineties  he  was  coming  to  Seoul,  found  a 
string  of  cash  in  the  road,  picked  it  up, 
and  when  he  met  the  owner  a little  fur- 
ther on  he  restored  it  to  him.  The  two 
then  continued  their  journey  to  the  capi 
tal.  In  return  for  the  restoration  of  the 
money  the  man  from  the  country  was  in- 
troduced by  his  new-found  friend  to  a 
missionary,  and  he  was  given  the  position 
of  gateman.  In  the  missionary’s  home  he 
saw  Chinese  New  Testaments  ; his  curios 
ity  prompted  examination  ; curiosity  de 
veloped  into  interest.  He  bought  one, 


which  he  read  in  his  own  room.  He  was  convicted  of 
sin,  or,  as  he  said,  “he  felt  a pain  in  his  heart.”  The 
more  he  read  the  worse  the  pain  grew.  He  went  to  the 
missionary.  Confession,  repentance,  faith  and  prayer 
were  prescribed  and  observed.  The  “pain”  was  taken 
away;  he  was  saved  from  sin.  The  new  power  made  him 
a better  servant  and  sent  him  forth  to  tell  his  friends. 

In  1894  he  was  sent  to  his  old  home  in  Pyeng-yang  to 
help  Dr.  Hall  in  his  work  there.  He  went  gladly,  but 
certain  “lewd  fellows  of  the  baser  sort”  stirred  up  strife 
and  the  people  against  the  missionary  and  his  helpers. 
Kim,  with  several  others,  was  arrested  because  they  were 
associated  with  the  foreigner  and  were  Christians.  They 
were  put  into  prison,  beaten  and  placed  in  the  stocks. 
“Curse  God  and  forsake  the  service  of  the  foreigner,  and 
you  will  be  released.”  The  others  yielded,  but  Kim, 
though  he  had  been  removed  to  the  death  cell,  from  which 
he  had  no  reason  to  hope  he  would  come  out  alive,  in  the 
same  glorious  spirit  that  was  in  Polycarp  of  old,  said  to 
his  tormentors  and  judges,  “ God  loves  me  and  has  for- 
given me  my  sins;  how  can  I curse  Him?  The  foreigner 
is  kind  and  pays  my  honest  wages;  why  should  I forsake 
him?”  This  noble  confession  was  made  in  the  courtyard 
before  the  mayor  and  his  attendants.  Orders  to  release 
the  men  had  been  sent  from  Seoul,  and  the  mayor  was 
glad  to  dismiss  his  prisoner.  On  his  way  home  he  was 
severely  stoned,  but  he  had  borne  faithful  testimony  to 
his  Lord  and  Saviour,  and  though  bruised  in  body  he  was 
calm  in  spirit. 

This  brave  confession  made  an  immense  impression 
upon  the  people  of  the  city.  Is  it  any  wonder  that  this 
man’s  preaching  is  believed  ? From  that  day  to  this,  now 
nearly  eight  years,  he  has  grown  steadily  in  grace  and 
efficiency.  He  travels  a large  circuit,  and  never  skips  a 
village  or  hamlet.  His  life  and  zeal  are  an  inspiration  to 
our  church. 

The  second  man  ordained  last  year  is  one  of  the 
gentlest  and  meekest  of  our  Korean  Christians.  He  lived 

30 


in  Chemulpo  ten  years  ago.  Church  services  were  held 
by  the  superintendent,  who  lived  in  Seoul.  At  the  end 
of  the  year  the  only  visible  results  of  his  labors  was  this 
man,  who  gave  his  name  as  a probationer.  He  was 
Varied  sick,  and  his  confession  was,  “Whether  I recover 
Talents  from  this  sickness  or  not,  I must  do  this  doctrine.” 
When  a missionary  went  to  live  at  Chemulpo,  this 
man  received  special  attention,  and  he  soon  developed 
into  a faithful  disciple.  In  Chemulpo,  in  Wen-san,  in  the 
Yellow  Province  he  is  making  full  proof  of  his  ministry, 
and  may  God  spare  him  for  many  years  of  usefulness. 

There  are  others  following;  men  from  the  literary 
class  and  men  from  the  farm;  men  who  have  declined 
official  promotion  and  pecuniary  advancement,  in  order 
to  be  free  to  preach  the  blessed  Gospel.  They  are  coming 
up  by  the  way  of  the  class  leader,  exhorter,  local  preacher, 
tried  and  tested  at  every  point;  men  who  have  experience 
ami  men  who  realize  that  courage  and  devotion,  and  the 
power  of  the  Holy  Spirit  are  needed  to  save  this  land  from 
its  lost  condition. 

It  is  less  than  fifteen  years  since  the  first  man  was 
baptized;  a few  months  more  than  twelve  years  since  the 
first  Quarterly  Conference  was  organized.  We 
Summary  have  now  (statistics  of  1902)  three  presiding  elders’ 
of  districts,  1,296  members  ; 4,559  proba- 

Results  tioners  ; 14  local  preachers  ; 47  Sunday- 
schools,  and  47  churches.  The  church 
contributed  for  pastoral  support,  current  ex- 
penses, church  buildings  and  benevolent  causes, 

3,220  yen,  or  §1,600.  “What  hath  God  wrought!  ” 


IV.  WORK  OF  OTHER  CHURCHES  AND 
AGENCIES 

In  the  summer  of  1884  II.  N.  Allen,  M.D.,  of 
Nanking,  China,  visited  Korea,  and  decided  to 
remain,  and  to  him  belongs  the  honor  of  begin- 
ning the  first  mission  and  of  opening  the  country 

31 


"l  * 


rp 


O SYEK  HYENG. 
Local  Preacher. 


to  medical  and  Christian  work.  At  the  time  of  the 
emeute  the  following  December  he  rendered  such  eminent, 
skillful  and  successful  services  to  Prince  Min  Yong  Ik, 
who  was  horribly  mutilated  in  the  melee,  that 
Presbyterian  he  attracted  the  immediate  and  favorable  at- 
Churches  tention  of  the  court.  In  April  the  next  year 
the  Royal  Government  Hospital  was  opened 
under  the  directorship  of  Dr.  Allen.  Over  10,000  patients 
were  treated  the  first  year  and  great  good  was  done 
in  breaking  down  the  stupid  and  unreasoning  preju- 
dice against  foreigners.  In  the  spring  of  this  same  year 
the  Rev.  H.  G.  Underwood  and  J.  AY.  Heron,  M.D.,  came  to 
Korea.  The  former  engaged  in  evangelistic  work,  and 
the  latter  at  once  entered  the  hospital.  About  the  year 
1890  the  movement  towards  the  evangelization  of  those 
beyond  Seoul  began.  In  Pyeng-yang,  under  the  leadership 
of  the  Rev.  S.  A.  Moffett,  D.D.,  one  of  the  greatest  works 
of  grace  found  anywhere  in  the  whole  world  has  gone  on 
and  has  spi'ead  over  fifty-four  counties.  In  the  southern 
part  of  the  Empire  the  mission  has  stations  at  Fusan  and 
Taiku.  This  is  the  strongest  Protestant  mission  in  the 
country,  though  all  the  Presbyterian  missions  in  Korea 
work  together  and  do  not  overlap.  This  mission  in  1901 
had  4,784  members,  and  numbered  17  559  catechumens  and 
adherents.  These  contributed  for  all  purposes  $6,400. 

The  Australian  Presbyterian  Mission  was  founded  by 
Rev.  John  Henry  Davies  and  his  sister  in  1889.  The  mis- 
sion has  but  one  station,  and  that  is  at  Fusan. 

The  Southern  Presbyterian  Mission  was  opened  in  1*92 
by  the  arrival  of  six  missionaries.  They  remained  in 
Seoul  for  a few  years,  and  then  moved  to  the  two  Chel-La 
provinces  in  the  southwestern  part  of  Korea.  Here  they 
have  three  well  manned  and  well  located  stations  at 
Chen  ju,  the  capital,  Mok-po  and  Kun  san. 

The  Presbyterian  Church  of  Xova  Scotia  began  work  in 
AVen-san  in  1897  and  have  the  whole  northeastern  country 
allotted  to  them.  They  have  stations  at  AVen-san,  Ham- 
heung  and  Seng-chen. 


The  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  South,  visited  Korea 
in  1895  in  the  persons  of  Bishop  Hendrix  and  the  Rev.  C.  F. 
Reid,  D.D.  The  mission  was  opened  the  next  year  with 
Dr.  Reid  as  superintendent.  They  have  three 
Methodist  stations,  Seoul,  Song-do  and  Wen-san,  and  an 
Episcopal  extensive  and  rapidly  growing  country  work. 

Church,  South  The  mission  had,  in  the  year  1901,  seventeen 
foreign  workers,  900  members  and  probationers 
and  raised  the  preceding  year  nearly  8300  for  the  support 
of  the  Gospel.  The  two  Methodist  missions  are  working 
in  harmony  in  Korea.  In  theological  classes  for  helpers 
the  two  combine.  May  they  unite  in  a general  educational 
policy. 

The  Young  Men’s  Christian  Association  entered  Korea 
in  1900  by  the  appointment  of  Mr.  Phillip  L.  Gillett. 
general  secretary. 

The  work  of  the  Bible  Societies  must  not  be  over- 
looked in  a review  of  the  agencies  at  work  in  evan- 
gelizing this  country.  The  American  Bible  Society, 
the  British  and  Foreign  Bible  Society,  the  National 
Association  Bible  Society  of  Scotland,  are  carrying  on  the 
and  Bible  work  of  translating,  publishing  and  circulating  the 
Societies  Scriptures.  On  the  Board  of  Translators  have 
served  the  Rev.  H.  G.  Underwood,  D.D. , and  the 
Rev.  J.  S.  Gale  of  the  North  Presby- 
terian Mission  ; the  Rev.  W.  B.  Scran- 
ton, D.D.,  and  the  Rev.  H.  G.  Appen- 
zeller  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Mis- 
sion ; and  the  Rev.  W.  D.  Reynolds  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church,  South.  The 
New  Testament  has  been  completed  and 
much  work  done  on  the  Old.  The  cir- 
culation in  Bibles  and  Old  Testaments 
(Chinese),  371;  New  Testaments,  5,384; 
portions  of  Scriptures,  23,272  ; or  a 
grand  total  of  29,027  books  as  the  total 
output  for  one  year. 

The  Church  of  England  Mission  in 
33 


SUSAN  NO. 
Pyeng-yang  Bible  Woman. 


Korea  was  started  in  the  winter  of  1890-91  by  the  Rt.  Rev. 
Bishop  Charles  John  Corfe,  D.D.,  sometime  chaplain  in 
the  Royal  Navy.  Six  missionaries  and  two  doctors 
Church  of  formed  the  original  staff.  It  has  three  stations, 
England  Seoul,  Chemulpo  and  on  the  island  of  Kanghwa. 

There  are  twenty-four  workers  in  the  mission, 
and  medical  work  is  receiving  special  attention. 

The  mission  of  the  Roman  Catholic  Church  is  the  oldest 
and  the  largest  Christian  mission  in  Korea.  The  first 
European  missionary  reached  the  Hermit  Kingdom  in 
1863,  but  work  had  been  done  here  long  before  that 
Roman  time.  The  mission  is  conducted  by  the  missionaries 
Catholic  of  the  Societe  des  Missions  des  Estrangeres  of  France, 
Mission  and  not,  as  is  frequently  supposed,  by  the  Jesuits. 

The  most  imposing  as  well  as  the  most  prominent 
building  in  Seoul  is  the  cathedral,  erected  at  a cost 
of  about  $40,000.  Bishop  G.  Mutel  is  at  the  head  of  the 
mission,  and  he  has  a large  corps  of  priests  and  nuns. 
Within  the  last  decade  several  Koreans  have  been  or- 
dained priests.  They  number  43,000  communicants  and 
7,000  catechumens. 

The  Greek  Church  of  Russia  sent  priests  to  Korea  in 
1896,  not,  as  it  was  then  alleged,  with  the  primary  object 
of  converting  Koreans,  but  for  the  benefit  of  the 
Greek  Russians  in  Korea.  The  services  are  held  in  a part 

Church  of  the  large  legation  building.  In  more  recent  years 

Koreans  have  been  admitted, 

On  a Sunday  morning  in  1901  at  the  hour  for  worship 
we  were  standing  on  our  front  porch.  From  the  east  came 
the  sweet  tones  of  the  cathedral  bell  calling  Catholics  to 
their  mass ; from  the  north  the  chimes  at  the 
Sabbath  Russian  Legation  called  “devout  Greeks”  to  their 

Bells  service  ; from  the  hill  opposite  the  house  came  the 

sounds  of  the  bell  calling  the  Methodists  of  First 
Church  to  their  devotion.  Thus,  in  this  city  where,  when 
we  first  came,  there  were  no  cathedrals,  temples  or 
churches,  now  there  are  numerous  places  to  which 
Koreans  can  go  and  worship  the  Lord  their  God.  May 

34 


the  day  not  be  far  distant  when  true  worshippers  from 
the  east,  from  the  north,  from  the  south  and  from  the 
west,  shall  everywhere  crowd  the  courts  of  the  Lord’s 
house  on  His  day,  and  worship  Him  in  spirit  and  in  truth. 

V.  THE  CALL  TO  ADVANCE 

The  last  century  marked  a good  beginning  in  Christian 
work  in  Korea.  Strategical  points  were  occupied.  The  ban- 
ner of  our  King  was  unfurled.  We  have  some  good  Chris- 
tian tracts  and  the  whole  of  the  New  Testament 
A Good  in  the  native  tongue  ; we  have  hospitals  in  the 
Beginning  chief  cities,  and  a few  schools  begun  ; we  have 
places  of  worship  in  the  principal  cities  and  towns, 
and  in  many  hamlets.  The  call  now  is  for  us  to  advance 
and  take  the  whole  Empire  for  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 
We  give  a few  reasons  or  tokens  of  encouragement. 

The  wonderful  success  God  has  given  His  servants  in 
the  past  should  spur  us  on  to  greater  efforts  in  the  future. 
God  has  opened  wide  the  doors  that  once  were  so  tightly 


SEOUL  CHRISTIAN  WOJIEN  AND  GIRLS. 
35 


closed.  The  missionary  goes  every  where  and  finds  a ready 
hearing  always.  With  this  comes  the  greatest  responsi- 
bility. The  people  are  calling  and  we  may  not  be  in- 
different. They  must  be  fed.  The  condition  of  the 
The  Spur  people  is  hopeless  without  the  uplifting,  refining, 
of  Success  sanctifying  power  of  the  Gospel.  This  is  being 
and  Need  recognized  more  and  more  by  the  more  progres- 
sive Koreans.  A young  man,  formerly  a member  of 
our  school,  sent  us  recently  an  article  written  in  intelli- 
gible English,  in  which  he  gives  expression  to  this  senti- 
ment: “As  far  as  spiritual  salvation  is  concerned  Chris- 
tianity is  the  only  foundation  upon  which  the  future 
prosperity  of  our  country  can  be  based.”  He  is  simply 
stating  an  historical  truth.  Buddhism  wrecked  the  last 
dynasty  after  a supremacy  of  four  hundred  and 
Heathen  eighty  years;  Confucianism  has  held  sway  for  more 
Religions  than  five  hundred  years,  and  has  brought  the  country 
a Failure  to  the  verge  of  ruin  ; Shamanism,  with  its  gods 
many  and  spirits  innumerable,  has  failed  to  deliver 
its  myriads  of  devotees  from  the  deepest  ignorance  and 
darkest  superstition.  Property  is  insecure,  the  standard 
of  education  is  low,  corruption  prevails  everywhere,  the 
people  are  oppressed,  and  life  is  neither  safe  nor  sacred. 
Such  is  the  awful  condition  of  the  country.  Christianity 
alone  can  save  the  individual  and  the  state. 

The  zeal  of  the  infant  Church  should  inspire  the  workers 
on  the  field  and  the  friends  abroad.  The  Korean  Christians 
are  unceasingly  active.  A tract  is  accepted,  a book  is 
bought,  a meeting  is  attended,  an  impression  made, 
Zeal  of  a desire  to  know  more  aroused;  then  follow  regu- 
Converts  lar  attendance,  conversion  and  entrance  into  the 
church.  But  they  do  not  stop  here.  Acquaintances, 
friends  and  relatives  are  sought,  importuned  and  reasoned 
with  on  righteousness,  temperance  and  judgment  to 
come.  They  succeed  in  their  efforts.  Our  people  give 
liberally  and  cheerfully.  It  is  safe  to  help  those  who 
help  themselves,  and  this  the  Korean  Church  is  doing 
more  and  more.  Some  of  the  leaders  are  making  noble 


37 


REV.  GEO  ROE  HEBEll  JONES  AND  HELPERS. 


sacrifices  for  the  spread  of  the  Word.  In  the  cold  of 
winter  and  in  the  heat  of  summer;  in  the  crowded  city 
and  at  the  country  market  ; in  the  library  of  the  Con- 
fucian  scholar  and  in  the  comfortless  wayside  inn  ; in  the 
lonely  country  farmhouse  and  in  the  privacy  of  the  inner 
room,  where  the  women  are  secure  from  molestation,  they 
bear  glad  and  cheerful  testimony  to  the  power  of  Christ 
to  save  from  sin.  They  receive  abuse,  accept  ostracism, 
endure  cruel  mockings,  even  bonds  and  imprisonments, 
in  order  to  obtain  a good  report  through  faith. 

Twenty-one  men  attended  our  winter  theological  class 
here  at  Seoul.  At  the  close  of  the  session  the  question, 
“ Why  are  you  constrained  to  go  and  preach  the  Gospel 
to  your  own  people  ? ” was  asked.  Though  not 
Ministerial  required,  half  of  them  wrote  out  their  answers, 
Motives  and  they  give  probably  the  best  reason  why  these 
men  preach.  Nearly  every  one  of  them  places 
the  divine  command,  “ Go  ye  into  all  the  world,”  first. 
Every  one  recognizes  his  call  in  this  commission.  Next 
comes  the  example  set  by  our  Saviour,  and  close  to  this 
comes  the  lost,  helpless  and  ruined  condition  of  the  people 
as  a powerful  motive  to  take  the  Gospel  to  them.  One 
based  his  call  on  John  3: 1(1,  while  one  Boanerges,  a man 
advanced  in  years,  gave  as  his  sufficient  reason  the  cer- 
tainty of  judgment  to  come  and  the  necessity  of  being 
ready.  These  are  the  sentiments  that  actuate  our  leading 
preachers  and  helpers,  and  they  no  doubt  are  representa- 
tive of  the  feelings  of  the  whole  Church. 


LITERATURE 

Two  excellent  books  on  Korea,  from  the  point  of  view 
of  the  missionaries,  are  Korean  Sketches,  J.  S.  Gale,  $1.00; 
and  Every-Day  Life  in  Korea,  D.  L.  Gifford,  $1.25. 
Helpful  works  from  the  traveler  and  student  are  Korea 
and  Her  Neighbors,  Mrs.  Isabella  Bird  Bishop,  $2.00;  and 
Corea,  the  Hermit  Nation,  W.  E.  Griffis,  $2.50. 


1 


